After a breakout season in 1993, Gough went on an A tour to South Africa, following by making his Test debut for England against New Zealand at Old Trafford. Gough was England’s 568th Test cricketer. With a wicket in his first over and his highest Test score of 65 it was quite the debut.

His only First-Class century came against Warwickshire in 1996 at Headingley.

Gough played in all six of England’s matches in the 1996 World Cup. He took a collective 4/238 from 51 overs.

Gough was offered a contract by Yorkshire and Rotherham United FC but chose cricket. He made his first class debut in 1999 against Middlesex at Lord’s taking five wickets. He won his country cap in 1993 after taking 7/42 against Somerset.

Darren and his wife Anna divorced in 2002, after 8 years of marriage but remarried in 2018.They have two sons, Liam and Brennan. He was Kevin Pietersen’s best man at his wedding. He supports Barnsley F.C.

Gough played county cricket for 15 years for Yorkshire and was a member of their 2001 squad that won the 2001 County Championship – its first in 33 years. In 2004 he moved to Essex and returned to Yorkshire for the 2007 season as their captain.

Gough only played 2 T20I matches. Against Australia in 2005 and Pakistan in 2006.

In 2005, Gough took part in the BBC television show Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with British National champion Lilia Kopylova. He was the first cricketer to win the show, a feat former teammate Mark Ramprakash would emulate the following year. He went on to win both the main series and the 2005 Christmas Special.Two years later he returned to win the 2007 Christmas Special. Following this he took part in the Strictly Come Dancing live tour during January and February 2008.

In 2006, Gough was awarded an honorary degree by Huddersfield University in Barnsley. An honorary doctorate of civil law from the University of Huddersfield.

In 2009, Gough became the face of UK convenience store chain Costcutter, featuring in their TV adverts until 2011.

As an outspoken fan, Gough became the brand ambassador for Collier’s Powerful Welsh cheddar in 2010 making a number of appearances notably at the International Cheese Awards in Nantwich.

In October 2019, Gough was appointed as a fast bowling consultant for England cricket team for test matches against New Zealand.

He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to cricket and charity.